Vaccination Side Effects in Pets
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RABIES
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 03/16/2008: Tom from Tampa, Florida writes: "We have a 3 year old Silky Terrier. We took him to the vet for his annual rabies shot. The Vet suggested the 3 year shot,so we did it. The next day our dog started out limping and got worse to where he could not walk. The question I have.Is this a side effect from the shot? We called the vet and he said no. My wife has taken him to a different vet for a different opinion, and I am home a nervous wreck!"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 03/09/2008: Jake from Nashville, TN writes: "Yorshire Terrier/Rabbies Shot. My puppy had a rabies shot 3 days ago. It was Serum Imrab 3 18070D 28dec08.. She has been throwing up all night and also has diahrea. Could these symptoms be normal? 3 days later?"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 02/26/2008: Tonya from King, NC writes: "My Miniature Schnauzer had her first three year rabies shot on Saturday this past week, upon arriving home she vomited and they layed down. She wouldn't come when I called her so I called the vet they said I should bring her back. Upon arriving at the vet they gave her a shot of steroids and a fluid shot and sent her home with pain pills. Upon arriving home the second time we took her out to do her business and on her way back in she was scratching (which was not normal for her), when she came in we noticed quarter sized bumps all down her back and she was still inching. We called the vet back and he wanted to see her again. Upon arrival he said it was a reaction to the shot, proceeded to give her another steroid shot, benedryl shot and fluid shot then sent her home with prednazone. She is still currently on the prednazone for about four more days. She still not 100% but hopefully when we complete the treatment she'll feel better."
Replies04/08/2009: Melanie from King, NC replies: "Now that we have lost our pet after a trip to a King vet, I would love to know how your dog is doing. Did she get better?"
EC: So sorry about your loss. Am wondering if it's possible you two share the same vet? If so, where on earth are they buying these vaccines from?
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 02/24/2008: Stella from Cleveland, Ohio writes: "My cat had never been ill for the first 11 years of her life she has always been an inside cat and I never saw a need for vaccinations. Then one day she came down with a bacterial/urinary infection I had to take her to the vet they gave her antibiotics and also suggested that I have her teeth cleaned. When her infection was cleared up I took her in to have her teeth cleaned they also pulled a few teeth. When I went to pick her up the vet informed me that she gave her a rabies shot. I was very upset because she did it without my consent and I would have never agreed to it. She is 14 yrs old now and has Not been healthy since. For the past three years we have been struggling with bacterial infections, she has been on many antibiotics and was diagnosed with kidney failure last year. I have been giving her Sub Q fluids at home two times a week and she is on an antibiotic maintenance program. We have spent so much money on vet bills. She is strong willed and is hanging in there but it breaks my heart that she has had to go through so many issues. I am absolutely convinced that it was the rabies shot that taxed her kidneys. I have spent many sleepless nights sad & angry. I don't know what the answer is but I hate that rabies shots are a law, I wish someone would come up with a better option."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 02/18/2008: tracy from bossier city, la writes: "i have a 7 year old pug who has not had a rabbies shot in 3 years because of the severe reactions he has had to it, he gets very bad hives, as well as swelling in the throat and face, he seems to get dizzy and can not walk straight, how ever i am going to the vet tomarrow to get him updated on the shot because i am being forced to by law, i love to take him to the groomers and have him shaved and bathed and have his nails clipped but i can not find a place to do this anymore unless i can bring in proof of the vac. i am so scared for him and angry at the same time, i even told the groomers that he could not take the rabies shot and they started treating my dog like he must have had it,i will take all the procautions and have him watched heavley for several hours after but i am scared to death."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 02/09/2008: Rhonda from Glendale, Arizona writes: "My nine year old Shin Tzu had the rabies shot yesterday, and today is shackey and he doesn't even want to lay down. He has alot of anxiety too! I think the shot is affecting him more since he's older. I do remember his hip and leg being sore before with the shot. Now I'm worried that maybe if there is arthitis that could be to much for him. I just think the symptons seem to be extreme and there just has to be a better alternative."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 02/09/2008: Roxanne from Minneapolis, MN writes: "I think I have tied my 18 month old Whippet's poor behavior and psychosis to the rabies vaccine.
She got her first rabies shot at 7 months of age, which was December 2006. About a week after, she started acting up in the crate, the current buzz word "separation anxiety" was used. She drooled, so much so that her bedding was drenched. She chewed the crate. She stopped eating and I had to stuff her or she was literally starving herself to death. This went on until I couldn't take anymore and I sent her back with her breeder for a month.
I got her back, and all the problems were gone. I thought a month at "boot camp" which was basically crated most of the time, did the trick. We were good from April 07 until January '08.
She got her 3 year rabies shot on 1/26. A week later, to the day, the same drooling behavior returned along with the refusal to eat. Nothing in my routine has changed, nothing has changed with the 2 older Whippets. No new crates, schedules, etc. I really was thinking the dog was looney toons and needed a "single dog home" I looked at my records and it popped out at me that these episodes have coincided with the rabies shot. The added behavior this time around is aggression toward the older dogs, which has earned this dog a few battle scars.
I called my vet and asked about this and of course they basically told me I was stupid, that no way would a rabies reaction take over a week, and it wouldn't be psychological. I was told to take my dog to a behaviorist or to get some "diffusing rods" of a certain scent to calm her. I don't buy it. Rabies is a STRONG vaccine, and I think my dog has a problem with it. I am hoping these issues will just go away overnight like they did before. If they do, she won't be getting any more rabies vaccinations."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 02/05/2008: June from Poughkeepsie, New York writes: "Hi, As soon as I got a rabies shot for my doxie who is 11 years old. She had problemns walking.Her back legs she couldnt walk. Now I notice she has trouble picking up her back left leg. She falls down,I had her to the vet. They didnt say anything if it was a reaction. Pills and doctors visits for 1 month now. She didnt have a problem before the shot, She was running around with the other 2 dogs in the house. Thank you"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 01/30/2008: Cathy from Phoenix, AZ writes: "re: rabies vaccine: Took my pure-bred beagle female for shots last year (9/4/07) (rabies/distemper/ parainfluenza/adenovirus/ coronavirus/bordetella) a year ago and her muzzle and eyes swelled up and she was frothing at the mouth. Took her to vet where they administered dexamethesoneSP (4mg) and Dephenhydramine(50mg) and swelling went down and she was fine the next day. Got the notice in Jan. 08 from animal control that her tags were up and she needed a rabies shot. Took her for shot and told vet of reaction in Sept. 07. He gave her a 50cc shot of benadryl 10 minutes before shot. 20 minutes after rabies shot, she collapsed and was completely lethargic and uncontrollable bowel movement with vomitting. 2 hours later she perked back up but right muzzle and eye started swelling. Gave her .75ml of childrens benadryl. 12 hours later, swelling gone, but can't keep food down and keeps having bowel (or trying) movements. Taking her to vet this afternoon if no improvement. I am now reluctant to get her any shots at all after these reactions."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 01/19/2008: Jared from Portland, Oregon writes: "I took Cuda, my Australian Shepard,to the vet today for a rabies shot. The vet did not warn me about any possible complications. I took him home and left to go grocery shopping. When I got home 3 hours later Cuda's face was swollen and his eyes were half shut. He did seem to be breathing and acting normally. My vet had closed by this time so I called the emergency vet. Even though they said to come in immediately, I did some research and found that Benadryl can help dogs. I coated one pill (the dose for a child) with peanut butter and gave it to him. Within about 30 miniutes the swelling started to go down. He seems to be perfectly normal now, thankfully."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 01/15/2008: Laura writes: "My year and a half old Yorkie received a rabies shot and had a bad reaction. She was lethargic and when she did walk, she appeared to be in severe pain. My husband took her to the vet and they gave her an IV which gave her energy back but now, over a month later, she still does not have hair near the shot area. Will her hair grow back?"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 01/14/2008: June from Poughkeepsie, New York writes: "I just got my 11 year old doxie rabies shot and she sleeping alot and her back legs she cant walk. I think we all have to watch the dogs and cats vaccine. There is something wrong with this."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 01/01/2008: tammie from ukiah, ca writes: "1 month ago my 2 yr old colby red nose pt had his second rabies vaccine. since then he has had very strange behavior, aggressive behavior, itchy skin, licking of his paws constantly. he in the past week since xmas morning has started 3 very violent attacks on my other pit who is 6yrss old. He gets completely out of control. does not listen when being told to stop fighting, its like he has gone mad! he has always been my eeyor dog, a forest gump if you will.. goofy loveable dog who has this flopsy mopsy personality.. but now he is a complete jerk! when he attacks my 6 yr old we cant get him to stop. i am convinced it is from his last rabies vaccine! HELP anyone else ever have this problem! i dont want to lose my 2 yr old loveable dog but i cant keep going through this aggressive behavior with no warning or reasons for the fighting.. i raise my dogs to be friendly and loveable and they sleep in bed wwith us! anyone got any ideas??? THANK YOU! feel free to email me"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 12/17/2007: Claudia from PDX, Oregon writes: "I have a dachshund that got a big lump at his injection site. This year I passed on his "yearly" shots. I also have a lab mix that has food allergies. He has not had shots for years but due to the law got his rabies one last year- immediately his allergies flaired horribly and it went on for a long time. I know it is not a food issue as I make his food and changed nothing."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 11/27/2007: Mary from Liberty, Missouri writes: "My 4 year old mixed Shih-Tzu had is 3 year Rabies vac yesterday and today he started having diarrhea. I called the vet and he said it would not have been from the vac and that he must be upset from being there yesterday for grooming and his shot. He has never been upset with his grooming like that and had diarrhea the next day!"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 11/26/2007: Tamara from Keystone Heights, Florida writes: "I have a 15 year old Siamese mix neutered male cat. Last rabies vaccine he had about 3 years ago caused a lump to form after his shot, it grew fast and burst. No home remedies worked to close the gaping sore. I took him to two different vets who both diagnosed a carcinoma from the vaccine. I had to have it surgical removed and closed up. So his 3 year rabies shot cost me over $300 and he is an inside cat. I will never again give him any shots."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 11/24/2007: Stacie from Miami, Florid writes: "My healthy three-year old cat had a rabies shot two weeks ago. She has since developed a lump in her leg. She will be going into surgery on Friday. I am waiting on the results of the small biopsy that was taken today. The doctor told me that it may be benign or cancerous, but whatever it is, it was caused by the rabies shot. I am never giving my cats a rabies shot again. They are indoor cats, and I have asked in the past if it was necessary because I was worried about the side effects. Now I am angry that I didn't insist that she not get the shot."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 11/13/2007: Teri from Sparrowbush, NY writes: "I've had a dog seizer after getting her 2nd Rabies vaccine. I've seen puppies start chewing on themselves after getting the parvo vaccine. I had a puppy buyer tell me that she took her 3 yr old dog to the vet where they said he was in excellent health and they gave Dhpp and Rabies. The next morning he was dead."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 11/13/2007: Edith from Palmerston, Canada writes: "I was given a year old pure bred shihtzu. A few weeks before she came to me she had been given her rabies shot. She was bald in places from the intense itching all over. Her skin was hot to the touch. I started with Apis mellifica a homeopathy remedy which is very good for itching. When that seemed to give her some relief I quit the remedy for a few days then started with Arsenicum Albumen. This is another remedy for itchy skin but it has different action. I also used Thuja to clean the liver. The scratching continued for a few months she lost tufts of hair but rather than take her to a vet who in turn would prescribe more drugs which have side effects I chose to tackle this on my own. It did clear up and there were reoccurances but mild. Her hair were like starw, and she should have silky hair. Her eyes were always dull looking as was her coat. She was quite lifeless and lethargic. That was a year ago and she is finally getting on her feet and running around and being full of energy. Yes it took a long time but at least this way nothing more damaging was added to stress her system I do not have shots for my dogs. I have 3 and none of them will get shots."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 11/08/2007: jane from pittsburgh, pa writes: "i took my 16 week old dashound to the vet for his rabies booster. immediately after the shot my puppy became limp. the vet said come back in a couple hours because they had to treat him for a reaction from the rabies shot. when i returned they handed me my puppy in a blanket, dead. i have never been so shocked in my life. if anyone has any information on deadly reactions to vaccines i would appreciate the feedback. thank-you"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 11/04/2007: Barb from Ohio, USA writes: "After receiving a rabies vaccine my dog started having reverse sneezing. She is 3-1/2 yrs old and has never had this before getting the vaccination. This was her first rabies vaccination."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 11/02/2007: Connie from San Diego, CA writes: "I got a Dachshund/Chihuahua mix from a pet rescue last September 2006. Kona was twelve weeks old. Last month I took Kona to have her routine vaccinations. The vet gave Kona all her vaccines, with exception of the rabies as she said they don't want to mix the vaccines as it is common for "this breed" to have a reaction to the rabies vaccine. Kona returned a week later to get her rabies vaccine and was fine. Two weeks later, my husband noticed a "lump" in her neck. Kona was also lethargic. She usually likes to play catch and dart through the house back and forth as fast as she could. I also noticed Kona's ears were red and had scabs in them. She is constantly licking her paws and scratching her ears and muzzle. I took Kona to the vet and was told she had a reaction to the rabies vaccine. (Kona was fine when she had the rabies vaccines at 4-months-old.) Kona is now on Medrol 4mg. The vet is treating her aggressively. The vet also told me that she can no longer have the rabies shot as the next time could be worse. The vet will now need to write an exemption letter to the Dept. of Animal Control. The great thing is Kona's appetite never changed. I hope she gets better soon as the family, especially the kids, miss the playful Kona."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 10/17/2007: Catherine from Waveland, Mississippi writes: "I took my 4.5 month old pit bull mix (Ollie) in to get its 1st rabies shot yesterday evening, he had already been given his series of distemper shots (last shot 2 weeks prior) and this was the last thing I had to take care of with vaccinations. I took him in at 3:30pm and all night he seemed perfectly fine. At 2:30 am I was woken up by Ollie crying, as if he needed to go outside, so I took him out of his kennel and realized that he felt really hot to the touch, so me felling warm myelf I kicked the AC on and took him out to potty. I brought him back inside and put him in his bed and he immediately started crying again. So I took him back out and put him in the bed with my husband and I to cool off. Ollie just could not sit still. He kept moving around restlessly and scratching himself. So I brought him into the bathroom and turned the light on and realized he was covered in hives. He looked so bad it brought me to tears. I immediately put him in the bathtub and started to rinse him with warm water to try to realive some of the itching. I then ran to walmart and bought him some childrens benadryl and I have been up with him ever since. The swelling is going down a little but he looks horrible. My vet doesn't open til 9am but after reasearching more on the internet I have come to the conclusion that after this he is not getting another shot. This was so not worth it. I just hope this doesn't cause anymore complications."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 10/04/2007: emily shepard from boise, idaho writes: "our 9 month old heeler received her vaccination for rabies @ the Humane Society. Later that day, she started acting lethargic and vomiting. She had eaten grass to make herself sick. Is vomiting a normal side affect of rabies shot?"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 09/30/2007: Sheila from Roanoke, Texas writes: "I had my 1 year old kitten vaccinated for Rabies yesterday. Since we brought her home, she won't eat or drink anything and when touched she hisses at you. She has fever in the spot of the rabies vaccine and tries to bite if you touch the vaccination spot. I have three other cats and none have ever acted like this after their rabies vacc. She acts like she HAS rabies now! My vet told me nothing about what side effects to expect. I have been told in the past to massage the area after the vaccine to keep the medicine from pooling and causing problems but she won't let me touch her. Any ideas?"
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